By Bob Tagert

Growing up in this area, our beach getaways usually meant an hour drive to the Chesapeake Bay. Back in the 60’s there was only one Bay Bridge and you also had to stop and pay tolls. This made for huge back-ups on weekends. At less than an hour away, back then the Chesapeake beaches made for a reasonable option on weekends and during the week. It remains the same today.

On this month’s Road Trip we decided to visit three of the Chesapeake Beach communities in Calvert County, Maryland. Maybe it isn’t the Atlantic Ocean, but the Chesapeake Bay is beautiful and offers its’ own attractions…sailing, power boats zooming up and down the Bay and the ever-present container ship now that Baltimore Harbor is again open.

There are a lot more folks living in this region since 1965 so beware that it gets pretty crowded on weekends. However, when we were there on a Thursday afternoon there were only a few groups of folks enjoying the day under the shade trees.

We ventured to Breezy Point first. Leaving Alexandria, it is a straight shot by picking up Route 4 in Maryland and heading south, to Bayside Road and turning left toward the Bay. Look for the turnoff for Breezy Point & Campground.

This half mile of sandy beach has a 200-foot fishing and crabbing pier. Stepping into the beautiful blue Chesapeake Bay you are protected by a netted swimming area. At one end of the beach there is a playground for children, as well as restrooms, outdoor showers and charcoal grills. Unlike like most beaches, Breezy Point has a few large trees on the beach for shade. These areas are popular and there are a number of picnic tables in this area. Even if you’ve packed your coolers and picnic baskets you will want to make sure to stop in at the Breezy Point Market. It is a very cool place that has just about everything you need for the day!

Leaving Breezy Point we turned right on Bayside Road for the 20 minute drive north to Chesapeake Beach and her twin, North Beach.

Chesapeake Beach really doesn’t have much of an established public “beach” but is worth the visit. It was established as a resort community at the end of the Chesapeake Beach Railway, a short line railroad from Washington, D.C. Coming to, or leaving the Twin Beaches, you will probably use Route 260 to connect to Route 4. This road was built along the old rail line, which accounts for the straight line of the road. Today at Chesapeake Beach you can visit the Railway Museum, which is a historic railway station. It is composed of two one-story hip-roofed sections, one part was once an open passenger boarding area that was later enclosed for storage. The station was built in 1898 for the Chesapeake Beach Railway. It is now the Railway Museum.

The famous Rod n’ Reel Restaurant has been demolished and is currently being rebuilt. There has been massive renovation to the Rod n’ Reel Resort property over the last few years. The resort complex boarders Fishing Creek where you can get on a head boat or charter one for a day’s fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. South of the complex the land rises forming the Randle Cliffs. Rising about 110 feet from the Bay, the cliffs are in a constant state of eroding revealing fossils as well as shark teeth.

There are several eateries in Chesapeake Beach as well as overnight accommodations.

A little further north (one mile) you will discover North Beach. Between the two, North Beach is our favorite. This little town was incorporated in 1910 and established as strictly a residential town with ads running in local newspapers proclaiming North Beach as “Washington’s most popular salt water resort.” Revitalization began in 1980’s. Tropical Storm Isabel destroyed many of the waterfront homes and boardwalk in 2003. Since then, the waterfront has been rebuilt with multi-story homes and a very “Florida-esque” flamingo pink condominium complex.

The hurricane of 1933 as well as Isabel caused damage to the beach and boardwalk. Each time repairs were made or rebuilt has resulted into today’s half mile long boardwalk that rises above the beach for beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay. The boardwalk opens up to another amazing fishing pier and an adjacent bike path. Both serve as a meeting place for many local residents as well as visitors. The landscaping along the waterfront drive and boardwalk is worth mentioning. The Town has made sure that everything about it is very inviting.

There are a number of local shops and restaurants near the boardwalk and throughout North Beach making for some fun shopping and a varied dining experience. We treated ourselves to a cold beverage and the amazing crab dip at Neptune’s Seafood Pub & Restaurant located on Chesapeake Avenue. This establishment has been a part of North Beach for almost 40 years! Getting a hand dipped ice cream cone at the Cold Penguin on the boardwalk is also a must! Overnight accommodations are available within a short driving distance.

For beach access and fishing at any of these places, there is a fee. It is recommended that you secure your spot in the sand at both Breezy Point and North Beach especially on the weekends. Information on how to make this happen is available online. Like I said earlier, the Chesapeake Bay may not be the Atlantic Ocean, but come on a windy day out of the east or north east and you will see some wave action. The beaches on the Bay are a perfect day trip!

Breezy Point – http://www.calvertcountymd.gov

Chesapeake Beach – http://www.chesapeakebeachmd.gov

North Beach – http://www.northbeachmd.org